Logan Mailloux is coming!!

[MiamiLaw]

Here is one Habs fan's reaction (a true ringing endorsement):

[TheJackBurton]

The hockey guy was talking about this a few minutes ago. The gist of it was Mallioux is talented but his defense is an “adventure.” I just don’t understand this one. We gave a lot, and this guy is far from a known quantity. I understand us having to give to get and I understand defense is worth more then wingers, but we didn’t get value here and we are assuming the biggest risk, not a fan of this move. We shouldn’t have done any move at all in my opinion.

The general thought on the other boards is Blues got the short end of the stick on this trade. Maillouix is described as the guy who leaves his man wide open in the crease to be the third guy against the wall fighting for a puck. Another person quoted that he is a force on defense for 90% of the game but then is the one who leaves the blue line unattended and gives up the game winning breakaway.

I would rather have Bolduc and Tucker than a guy with low hockey IQ.

well we have Tucker, and he doesn't play the right side.

[smilinjoefission]

Blues D is Parayko, Faulk, Broberg, Fowler, Tucker, and Leddy...Mailloux makes Leddy disappear so that alone makes this a A+ trade. If we can figure out how to rid the team of Faulk then maybe we can build a better team on D. Broberg is 24, Tucker is 25, Mailloux is 22, the rest old farts.

[MiamiLaw]

Sounds like NYR is going to trade K Miller to the Canes for picks. But we lost Bolduc for an AHL gamble...honestly, I hate this trade more and more by the minute.

[succinct712]

I like Bolduc too, but given that RHD is a more difficult role to fill, this deal makes sense because of the Blues forward depth. Defenders take longer to develop, and if this guy is on the roster on opening day and sticks at his current age of 22, that's a win. I think it's a worthwhile risk, but obviously won't know for sure until it pans out.

[Bluesfan1978]

I hate losing Bolduc but he still was pretty much a 3rd line LW which the Blues have the greatest quantity of. I’m sure the Blues feel they acquired at too 4 RD within a couple years.

[Frank Barone]

The hockey guy was talking about this a few minutes ago. The gist of it was Mallioux is talented but his defense is an “adventure.” I just don’t understand this one. We gave a lot, and this guy is far from a known quantity. I understand us having to give to get and I understand defense is worth more then wingers, but we didn’t get value here and we are assuming the biggest risk, not a fan of this move. We shouldn’t have done any move at all in my opinion.

The general thought on the other boards is Blues got the short end of the stick on this trade. Maillouix is described as the guy who leaves his man wide open in the crease to be the third guy against the wall fighting for a puck. Another person quoted that he is a force on defense for 90% of the game but then is the one who leaves the blue line unattended and gives up the game winning breakaway.

I would rather have Bolduc and Tucker than a guy with low hockey IQ.

well we have Tucker, and he doesn't play the right side.

The Blues organization pulled Broberg out of Edmonton's depth and gave him a top 4 chance. That one worked out to say the least.

I've got to give Mailloux a chance here. I'm not saying he'll be the next Broberg, but the Blues see something in him.

[Pierre McGuire]

He's proven he can play in the NHL and be productive

He’s played 8 games

And he was productive

That’s not a measure and you know it. Guys don’t even know/care who he is at that point.

Might turn out to be productive but that’s not proof

He proved it in juniors, he proved it in the AHL and he's proven in his limited time in the NHL that he's a productive player.

[britishblue]

So the D next year is:

Fowler Parayko
Borberg Faulk
Leddy Mailloux
Tucker

I quite like that.

Buch Thomas Snuggy
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Neighbours Bjugstad/Sunny Dvorsky
Walker Bjugstad/Sunny Toropchenko
Joseph/Texier

Not sure about the middle of the ice, real concerns around faceoffs especially.

Glad that Dvorsky and Snuggy are getting ice time.

[TheJackBurton]

Sounds like NYR is going to trade K Miller to the Canes for picks. But we lost Bolduc for an AHL gamble...honestly, I hate this trade more and more by the minute.

Miller is a lefty

[TheJackBurton]

The hockey guy was talking about this a few minutes ago. The gist of it was Mallioux is talented but his defense is an “adventure.” I just don’t understand this one. We gave a lot, and this guy is far from a known quantity. I understand us having to give to get and I understand defense is worth more then wingers, but we didn’t get value here and we are assuming the biggest risk, not a fan of this move. We shouldn’t have done any move at all in my opinion.

The general thought on the other boards is Blues got the short end of the stick on this trade. Maillouix is described as the guy who leaves his man wide open in the crease to be the third guy against the wall fighting for a puck. Another person quoted that he is a force on defense for 90% of the game but then is the one who leaves the blue line unattended and gives up the game winning breakaway.

I would rather have Bolduc and Tucker than a guy with low hockey IQ.

well we have Tucker, and he doesn't play the right side.

The Blues organization pulled Broberg out of Edmonton's depth and gave him a top 4 chance. That one worked out to say the least.

I've got to give Mailloux a chance here. I'm not saying he'll be the next Broberg, but the Blues see something in him.

If Pierre is happy about it, I am as well.

[MiamiLaw]

Sounds like NYR is going to trade K Miller to the Canes for picks. But we lost Bolduc for an AHL gamble...honestly, I hate this trade more and more by the minute.

Miller is a lefty

So just being right handed makes 8-game Mailloux significantly more valuable than a proven, young, Top 4 NHL dman like Miller? It is very hard for me to defend this trade at the moment. In hindsight, it may work out but it is still dumb.

This trade is getting HAMMERED in the hockey online forums as a big win for the Habs and loss for the Blues.

[Smith2Herr]

We have wingers galore...we filled a huge need and you have to give to get. Bolduc will never be able to control a game like Mailloux will be able to in the near future.

Pierre, is your considerable optimism (in the face of much forum pessimism) based on actually having seen the kid play? If yes what is it about his game that leaves you feeling so positive? Thanks

Yes have seen him play and was high on him his draft year. Good offensive dman, could be great in a few years. He hits, he has a cannon of a shot. There is a lot to like in regards to what he brings. He has the tools, the Blues will be able to develop him along. He's proven he can play in the NHL and be productive, now he comes to a much more sound team....although Montreal is really close to being there as well but i feel like the Blues have the guys that will be able to help him along, Fowler, Parayko etc. I expect him to be in the opening night lineup come October.

Thanks! May your assessment prove correct.

[TheJackBurton]

Sounds like NYR is going to trade K Miller to the Canes for picks. But we lost Bolduc for an AHL gamble...honestly, I hate this trade more and more by the minute.

Miller is a lefty

So just being right handed makes 8-game Mailloux significantly more valuable than a proven, young, Top 4 NHL dman like Miller? It is very hard for me to defend this trade at the moment. In hindsight, it may work out but it is still dumb.

In all honesty yes. The Rangers don't have the cap room, and he'd fallen out of favor with them. Personally I'm shocked they are trading him as I expected them to get past it and get him signed and dump a forward.

However, he's a lefty and there has been a surplus of them not only in UFA but in trades as well.

Right now any lefty looking for a big pay day just doesn't have value because they can get replaced pretty easily overall.

[MiamiLaw]

Sounds like NYR is going to trade K Miller to the Canes for picks. But we lost Bolduc for an AHL gamble...honestly, I hate this trade more and more by the minute.

Miller is a lefty

So just being right handed makes 8-game Mailloux significantly more valuable than a proven, young, Top 4 NHL dman like Miller? It is very hard for me to defend this trade at the moment. In hindsight, it may work out but it is still dumb.

In all honesty yes. The Rangers don't have the cap room, and he'd fallen out of favor with them. Personally I'm shocked they are trading him as I expected them to get past it and get him signed and dump a forward.

However, he's a lefty and there has been a surplus of them not only in UFA but in trades as well.

Right now any lefty looking for a big pay day just doesn't have value because they can get replaced pretty easily overall.

Then why is the almost universal opinion around the league that MTL won the trade? And why are NYR fans (upset)?

[LGB73]

This is what happens when the team doesn't draft for critical positions like C and RD. Virtually everyone is short in these areas and you have to overpay in dollars or assets to try to plug the hole that your pipeline of prospects isn't. Hope Mailloux develops because I think Bolduc is going to be a consistent 25+ goal scorer who is comfortable playing a style of hockey that you need in the playoffs.